Malaysian PM Anwar agrees to cut Cabinet salaries

The prime minister's office said that cabinet ministers in Malaysia's unity government have agreed to take a 20 per cent cut in their monthly salaries out of concern for the public, he told a press conference at the prime minister's office.

The economy will recover until this time. We will review this if the economy recovers in three years. He said that the reduction of salaries is not appropriate but I thank them for their willingness to sacrifice a bit.

Some people think Anwar will take the prime minister's salary, but he will take the salary of the finance minister. There is only one salary. During the press conference at the prime minister's office, Anwar was flanked by deputy prime ministers Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof and Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali.

During the recent general election campaign, Mr Anwar pledged to forgo his salary in solidarity with the plight of the people.

The Cabinet line-up, consisting of 28 ministers, was unveiled last Friday.

It is leaner than the previous Cabinet, as Mr Anwar had earlier made clear his intention to downsize the team. He also said he will do away with appointing Cabinet ministers as a form of reward.

The list of deputy ministers is not yet known.

The Cabinet led by former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had 31 ministers and 38 deputies.

Muhyiddin Yassin had 32 ministers and 38 deputies, according to Mr Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Nov 19 election resulted in no clear winner, with neither Mr Anwar's Pakatan Harapan PH nor Mr Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional PN able to secure a simple majority in the 222 seat Lower House.

PH won 81 seats while PN managed 73, putting them in a position to form the next government. A coalition needs to be backed by at least 112 lawmakers to form the next government. Both coalitions tried to get support from BN, GPS and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah GRS BN, which finished a distant third, but managed to win 30 seats. GPS won 23 seats while GRS won six seats.

The king had asked PH and PN to form a unity government, but the latter turned down the suggestion.

After a meeting of the Malay rulers on November 24 regarding the political impasse, Istana Negara announced that Mr Anwar will be the next prime minister.

After being sworn in on November 24, Anwar told reporters that the unity government comprises PH, BN and GPS. The government included Parti Warisan Sabah, Malaysian United Democratic Alliance and other independent lawmakers.

A day later, he said that GRS also joined the unity government.